Fyren quickly tried to comfort her: "Oh come on, don't cry. I was just teasing you. I didn't actually do any of that."
Xena burst into tears, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Fyren could only pat her back soothingly:
"You're the renowned physician of Northlandia, a respectable young lady. How can you collapse like this? Your crying face is so unattractive!"
"Then go find Eliza! She's beautiful! We've talked about this before! She's not just some long-legged, slim-waisted girl. She's fun and strong! So why are you bothering with me? I just want to cry! I'll cry myself to death right here in your office today..."
Fyren said, "I didn't mean it like that! It was just an offhand remark. Since when are you so sensitive? Can't you take a joke..."
"That's right! I'm petty and Eliza's magnanimous. She ignored you for three years, strung you along for three years, played with you for three years. And you still like her, don't you?"
"No, it's not like that. We're just friends..."
Xena shouted: "Friends? So you'll make her your first wife and me your concubine? Have me serve her tea, wash her clothes, make her bed, do all her chores... sob... You'd even have me wash her feet..."
"No, no! I'm the one who serves you tea, washes your clothes, gives you foot massages. Isn't that enough for you?"
Xena immediately stopped crying: "What did you just say? Swear it!"
Fyren froze.
[This silly girl... I walked right into that one!]
Fyren backpedaled quickly: "Alright, alright, enough of this nonsense. Stop acting like it's some serious matter."
"I don't care. I'm being completely serious. Are you going to marry me or not? Am I too short and skinny for you?"
Fyren was utterly speechless:
"[...] Slender arms and legs are more attractive! And your girlish figure is perfectly proportioned. So soft and full in all the right places..."
Xena smiled through her tears: "Shut up! You're just trying to embarrass me!"
"Business! Let's focus on business, big sister. Stop crying now."
"What's left to discuss? Qingfeng Group has drawn everyone's attention. If we join forces, we can definitely take it. There's nothing left for others anyway. What are you still hesitating about?"
Fyren sighed: "I just think... about Eliza..."
Xena exploded: "Fine! Have it your way! Mr. Indecisive, I agree!
Marry her then! But don't expect me to be her maid! I won't serve her tea, wash her clothes, or cook for her! Happy now? Two beautiful women waiting on you hand and foot! Honestly, you run a billion-dollar enterprise but can't stop obsessing over one woman. I doubt you'll ever amount to anything great!"
Fyren was rendered speechless.
[This foolish girl. She's convinced I'm coveting Eliza's beauty and can't bring myself to be ruthless.]
[Heh. Let me seize this opportunity. I can certainly try.]
Fyren said, "You've misunderstood. I have no interest in Eliza."
"Really?"
"Really."
"How really?"
Eliza, who had been eavesdropping, let her hand slip limply from the doorframe.
She doesn't like me anymore.
She won't even take me if I'm offered…
I really am the kind of woman everyone wants to discard.
Heh. Pathetic.
Three years. A thousand chances to become the Zhang family's young mistress.
Back then, all I had to do was nod, and the entire Zhang family would have treated me like a star—like the moon itself.
But no. I don't know what was wrong with me, acting the way I did toward Fyren.
Yes. Back then, my mind held only Qianfeng. Only dreams. Only ambition.
Fyren? To me, he was worse than dog shit. And now? Even if I agreed to be his mistress, he'd still find me a nuisance.
Tears streaked down Eliza's face.
She slumped to the ground, her back against the doorframe, hands covering her face. Torrents of tears spilled through her fingers, dripping from her chin onto her thighs—
Fyren said, "I've allied with Eliza."
Eliza's hands jerked away. She lifted her head, twisting sharply to stare through the door crack at Fyren's profile.
Tall. Handsome. Immaculate suit. He stood before the desk like some radiant, storybook hero.
Fyren continued, "I'll fully support Eliza in devouring Qianfeng and reclaiming control."
Xena doubted her ears:
"What did you say?"
"You heard me."
"Why?"
Xena's voice spiked with agitation: "She's practically out of the game! Worthless! Why cooperate with her? Why not me? If you back her now, do you honestly think she'll spare you a glance once she's secured power?"
Jealousy seethed in Xena's mind. She was properly furious now.
"Or have you forgotten how she treated you these past three years? Do you actually believe this grand gesture will move her? That she'll suddenly play the dutiful wife?"
"No. That's not—I never thought—"
"Are you insane? Qianfeng's collapse is the turning point to reshape Crystalpeak's entire business landscape! Swallowing them means we three could redraw every commercial interest north of the city! The potential is incalculable. How do you not grasp this?"
"I do, but—"
"But what?!" Xena nearly shouted. "Must we preserve the Four Families? No matter who leads the Lengs, their business competes with ours. Each family wants to consume the other three—must I spell it out? The Lengs are vulnerable now. This isn't betrayal. It's strategy. Why can't you—why?!"
Fyren slammed the desk. "I said no! Stop screaming!"
Xena looked at Fyren in shock. He had never gotten angry with her before—not even when she constantly tricked him. He would just laugh and let her take advantage of him.
But today, for Eliza's sake, he had actually shouted at her!
Xena felt deeply humiliated. Humiliated by the fact that she had been outmaneuvered by a woman who had already lost everything—a woman she considered beneath her in every way.
Fyren snapped, "From now on, if there's business to discuss, tell your father to come talk to me himself. Don't barge into my office and scream at me! And Eliza? I've made my decision—even the Heavenly King himself won't take her from me. That's final!"
Xena lowered her head. "Hmph. King Zhou of Shang played his little games with Daji, and the entire kingdom fell because of his obsession. Just as I thought—fools are always dragged down by beautiful women."
"Enough whining!" Fyren growled. "I've put up with you for too long. Let me make this clear—stop acting like a victim in front of my family. You've made my parents think I've done something to you. Now I can't even go home without getting an earful!"
Xena raised her head, her voice trembling with hurt. "Fyren, be honest! Is it really because of me that you won't go home? Or is it because you abandoned your younger brother at the police station? Because you didn't lift a finger to help him when you had the chance? Because you let the shantytown project bleed money endlessly? Because—"
"Enough!" Fyren roared. "Eliza is my goddess, and I'm her loyal dog. I'll lick her feet every day as long as she's alive. That's just how it is! Want to see her fall? Then you'll have to go through me first. I'm in Crystalpeak City now, and I'll make damn sure Eliza becomes its queen. I'll place the crown on her head myself—and anyone who makes her cry, I'll crush them. How's that for an answer?"
Xena gritted her teeth. "Fyren, you're unbelievable!"
She snatched the documents from the desk and stormed out.
Chloe, hearing the commotion, hurriedly pushed the door open to investigate. Before she could react, Xena shoved her aside. "Move!"
Seeing Fyren's furious expression, Chloe wisely turned and chased after Xena, forcing a smile. "Xena, don't be upset! Fyren's always been like this—sweet most of the time, but when he gets stubborn, he's impossible. Everyone in this building has been chewed out by him at least once. You—"
Xena suddenly stopped and turned, her eyes brimming with resentment. "He doesn't love me anymore."
"No, that's not true," Chloe soothed. "I can tell—Fyren cares about you the most."
Xena burst into tears. "Then why does he still love Eliza the most? What did I do wrong? I tried to partner with him, to make money together, but he refused! Instead, he's dead set on protecting Eliza. Do you have any idea how much that'll cost? The Chen family was already planning to take over Qianfeng. Powerful outsiders are circling like vultures. What the hell is he thinking…?"
At this moment, Maggie walked over and heard Xena's crying. Her face was serious.
Maggie smiled slightly. "Xena."
"Hmm?" Xena turned her head, her eyes filled with tears.
"I think I understand. You two were arguing about this, weren't you?"
"Hmm."
Maggie smiled. "You're being silly! Why argue with him?"
"He's protecting Eliza! That's why I'm angry!"
"Think about it. You haven't been in contact with Fyren for years, but he and Eliza have been meeting every day these past few years. People who see each other daily can't help but develop feelings, can they? Even if they argue constantly, emotions still accumulate over time."
"So I'm definitely going to lose?"
Maggie shook her head. "If Eliza wanted to seize the opportunity, they'd have children by now. She didn't take Fyren from us these past three years, did she?"
"You really mean that?"
"Consider this - Eliza doesn't like Fyren at all. Yet look how he remains loyal to her in critical moments. He'd rather sacrifice huge profits than stop protecting her. In today's world, in the entire mainland business circle, can you find another man like him?"
Xena lowered her head and muttered, "I understand what you're saying... but I'm a woman too. He... he's always protecting that Eliza."
"That's exactly what makes him worthy - worthy of a woman's love, worthy of admiration, worthy of trust, worthy of tears."
Chloe raised her hand in approval.
Well done, nosy one! You've learned something!
The prestigious Vice President of Houde Group, reduced to a little girl by our CEO's coaxing.
Impressive!
Fyren sat in his chair, filled with deep regret.
I'm such an idiot! Why did I yell at her? Why did I lose my temper?
She's just a girl. What's the big deal if she argues a bit? Real men don't shout at people all the time.
Fyren sighed in self-reproach when suddenly, a pair of slender, beautiful arms wrapped around him.
Startled, Fyren turned sharply to see Eliza, her face streaked with tears.
"Eliza?! When did you... mmmph..." Before he could finish, her hand covered his mouth.
"No! I meant to say you've been... mmmph..." She blocked him again.
"Hey, calm down. Let's clarify this first... mmmph... mmmph..."
Fyren pushed her away, nearly in tears. "Big sister, let me speak first. Let's... mmmph..."
After a long moment, Eliza gently removed her hand, her voice soft and alluring. "Go ahead."
Looking into Eliza's eyes, Fyren's heart pounded wildly.
"Shut up! I'm going to kill you today!"
With this declaration, he yanked off Eliza's bath towel and flipped her onto the desk.
Outside, Xena had made her decision.
"Alright! I'm going back to apologize to Fyren right now!"
She turned to leave.
Chloe nodded approvingly. "Maggie, you're amazing."
Maggie smiled. "It's nothing. By the way, did Eliza say what she needed in there?"
Chloe's face instantly paled. "Is Eliza in the office?!"
"Yes, she's been inside for a while now. I thought you knew..."
Chloe immediately rushed forward. "Xena! Xena, wait a moment!"